Does Perceived Quality of Care Moderate Postpartum Depression? A Secondary Analysis of a Two-Stage Survey

The purpose of this study was to examine if women's perceptions of the quality of hospital care during childbirth moderate their risks for symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD).

This cross-sectional secondary analysis analyzed data from the Listening to Mothers III (2013) series surveys with a weighted sample size of 1057 of women surveyed from across the United States. PPD symptoms were defined according the Patient Health Questionnaire-2. Associations between risk factors and PPD symptoms were tested using logistic regressions with the moderating variable of perceived quality of care then added to models with significant risk factors.

Of the 22 potential risk factors for PPD symptoms, 10 were found to be significantly associated with PPD symptoms in this sample of women. Very good perceived quality of care moderated the following risk factors for PPD symptoms in a protective direction: relationship status (p = 0.01), pre-pregnancy BMI (p = 0.02), and pain that interfered with routine activities 2 months postpartum (p = 0.003).

These findings suggest risk factors for PPD symptoms are moderated by perceived quality of care and therefore, maternity providers can influence women's psychological wellbeing postpartum by providing very good perceived quality of care during the hospital stay for birth. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously due to a lack of a direct, proven relationship between provider action and women's perceived quality of care.